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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x      Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2015

OR

o         Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 001-34733

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(484) 367-7432

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No x

As of February 8, 2016, there were 37,988,724 Common Units outstanding.

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which typically are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future—including statements relating to general views about future operating results—are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because such statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include changes in general economic conditions, competitive conditions in our industry, actions taken by third-party operators, processors and transporters, changes in the availability and cost of capital, operating hazards, natural disasters, weather-related delays, casualty losses and other matters beyond our control, the effects of existing and future laws and governmental regulations, the effects of future litigation, and certain factors described in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (“Annual Report”) and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015 (“Q1 Quarterly Report”), and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited)

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except for per unit amounts)

(Unaudited)

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

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Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

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Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

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Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Unaudited)

(See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements)

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Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC (“Niska Partners” or the “Company”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited liability company (NYSE:NKA) which independently owns and operates natural gas storage assets in North America. The Company operates the AECO Hub™, which consists of the Countess and Suffield gas storage facilities in Alberta, Canada and the Wild Goose and Salt Plains gas storage facilities in California and Oklahoma, respectively. Each of these facilities markets natural gas storage services in addition to optimizing storage capacity with proprietary gas purchases.

In June 2015, the Company and Niska Gas Storage Management LLC, its Managing Member, entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. and its institutional partners (“Brookfield”). Under the terms of the agreement (“Merger Agreement”), Brookfield will acquire all of the Company’s outstanding common units for $4.225 per common unit in cash and will acquire the Managing Member and the Incentive Distribution Rights (“IDRs”) in the Company (the “Transaction”) prior to June 14, 2017. A period provided for in the Merger Agreement for unsolicited consideration of alternative acquisition proposals expired on July 29, 2015.

The Merger Agreement, which includes a commitment by the Company not to make cash distributions until the earlier of the date of closing or termination of the Transaction, was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors (“the Company Board”) and the Conflicts Committee of its Board of Directors (the “Conflicts Committee”). Affiliates of Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund II, L.P. and Carlyle/Riverstone Global Energy and Power Fund III, L.P. (collectively, the “Carlyle/Riverstone Funds”) delivered a written consent approving the Transaction. No additional unitholder action is required to approve the Transaction.

In connection with the entry into the Merger Agreement, Brookfield agreed to lend up to $50.0 million to the Company under a short-term credit facility to be used for working capital purposes (see Note 3).

The closing of the Transaction is dependent on certain conditions related to regulatory requirements being satisfied, including the approval of the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC” or the “Commission”). The Company’s previously disclosed timeline allowed for a hearing process to be undertaken with the CPUC. The CPUC has determined that a hearing is not required, which could reduce the time to close. Consequently, the Transaction is expected to be consummated in calendar year 2016; however, the timing of the process remains within the purview of the CPUC and the Transaction remains subject to other non-regulatory closing conditions.

At December 31, 2015, Niska Partners had 37,988,724 common units outstanding. Of this amount, 20,488,525 common units are owned by the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds through Niska Holdings L.P. and Niska Sponsor Holdings Cȯȯpertief U.A. (“Sponsor Holdings”), along with a 1.80% Managing Member’s interest in the Company and all of the Company’s IDRs. Including all of the common units owned by the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds, along with the 1.80% Managing Member’s interest, the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds have a 54.76% ownership interest in the Company excluding the IDRs, which are a variable interest. The remaining 17,500,199 common units, representing a 45.24% ownership interest in the Company excluding the IDRs, are owned by the public.

Basis of Presentation

The accounting policies applied in these unaudited interim financial statements are consistent with the policies applied in the consolidated financial statements of Niska Partners and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation (continued)

Basis of Presentation (continued)

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Niska Partners, which are unaudited except for the balance sheet at March 31, 2015 which is derived from audited financial statements, include all adjustments necessary to present fairly Niska Partners’ financial position as of December 31, 2015, the results of Niska Partners’ operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, along with its cash flows for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 are not necessarily representative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. The optimization of proprietary gas purchases is seasonal with the majority of the revenues and costs associated with the physical sale of proprietary gas generally occurring during the third and fourth fiscal quarters, when demand for natural gas is typically the strongest.

Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and notes normally included with financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Niska Partners and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

2. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Niska Partners has entered into non-cancelable operating leases for temporary pressure-support gas, office space, land-use rights at its operating facilities, storage capacity at other facilities, equipment and vehicles used in its operations. The remaining lease terms expire between January 2016 and February 2059 and require the payment of taxes, insurance and maintenance by the lessee.

The Company’s purchase obligations arising as a result of forward purchase contracts in place at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

Purchase obligations consisted of forward physical and financial commitments related to future purchases of natural gas. As the Company economically hedges substantially all of its natural gas purchases, there are forward sales that offset these commitments which are not included in the above table. As at December 31, 2015, forward physical and financial sales for all future periods totaled $1,437.3 million.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

2. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Contingencies

In June 2015, the Company engaged the services of certain consultants for consideration of $5.8 million, the payment of which is contingent upon the successful closing of the Transaction.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company was under review by Canadian tax authorities for withholding taxes paid on behalf of the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds and the investors of the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds for earnings distributions made prior to the Company’s initial public offering. The Company received a notice from the Canadian tax authorities of a proposed assessment equivalent to $9.7 million and estimates the probable amount payable to range from $5.5 million to the proposed assessment of $9.7 million. The Company has recorded the minimum of the range, or $5.5 million, as a liability to the Canadian tax authorities. Niska Holdings L.P., a company held by the Carlyle/Riverstone Funds and the parent of Sponsor Holdings, guaranteed the repayment of any amounts owing with respect to this matter to the Company. Accordingly, as the Company believes collection of any amounts receivable is reasonably assured, it recorded a corresponding receivable equivalent to $5.5 million.

The Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to other legal and tax proceedings and actions arising in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these proceedings and actions cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the resolution of such proceedings and actions will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

3. Debt

Niska Partners’ debt obligations consist of the following:

Senior Notes due 2019

The Company has senior unsecured notes due 2019 (the “6.50% Senior Notes” or “Notes”) which were issued through its subsidiaries Niska Gas Storage Finance Corp. and Niska Gas Storage Canada ULC (together, the “Issuers”). The 6.50% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations which are: (1) effectively junior to Niska Partners’ secured obligations to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such debt; (2) equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of the Company; and (3) senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of Niska Partners. The 6.50% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Niska Partners and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis, and are: (1) effectively junior to each guarantor’s secured obligations; (2) equal in right of payment with all existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness of each guarantor; and (3) senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of each guarantor.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

3. Debt (continued)

Senior Notes due 2019 (continued)

Interest on the 6.50% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on October 1 and April 1, and the Notes will mature on April 1, 2019. As of December 31, 2015, the estimated fair market value of the Notes was $506.0 million.

Prior to October 1, 2016, the Company has the option to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 6.50% Senior Notes using net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a price of 106.5% plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may also redeem all or a part of the 6.50% Senior Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 103.25% during the twelve-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, 101.625% during the twelve-month period beginning on October 1, 2017 and at par beginning on October 1, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemptions or sinking fund payments with respect to the 6.50% Senior Notes.

The indenture governing the 6.50% Senior Notes limits Niska Partners’ ability to pay distributions in respect of, repurchase or pay dividends on its membership interests (or other capital stock) or make other restricted payments. However, it does not prohibit certain types or amounts of restricted payments, including a general basket of $75.0 million of restricted payments.

The indenture governing the Notes contains certain other covenants that, among other things, limit Niska Partners and certain of its subsidiaries’ ability to:

·                  incur additional debt or issue certain capital stock;

·                  pay dividends on, repurchase or make distributions in respect of its capital stock or repurchase or retire subordinated indebtedness;

·                  make certain investments;

·                  sell assets;

·                  create liens;

·                  consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets;

·                  enter into certain transactions with its affiliates; and

·                  permit restrictions on the ability of its subsidiaries to make distributions.

The occurrence of events involving the Company or certain of its subsidiaries may constitute an event of default under the indenture. Such events include failure to pay interest, principal, or the premium on the notes when due; failure to comply with the merger, asset sale or change of control covenants; certain defaults on other indebtedness; and certain insolvency proceedings. In the case of an event of default, the holders of the notes are entitled to remedies, including the acceleration of payment of the notes by request of the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the notes, and any action by the trustee to collect payment of principal, interest or premium in arrears.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control together with a decrease in the ratings of the 6.50% Senior Notes by either Moody’s or S&P by one or more gradations within 90 days of the change of control event, Niska Partners must offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.

The Company’s ability to repurchase the 6.50% Senior Notes upon a change of control will be limited by the terms of its debt agreements, including its asset-based revolving credit facilities. In addition, the Company cannot assure that it will have the financial resources to repurchase the Notes upon a change of control.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

3. Debt (continued)

Revolving Credit Facilities

Niska Partners, through its subsidiaries, Niska Gas Storage US, LLC and AECO Gas Storage Partnership, has senior secured asset-based revolving credit facilities, consisting of a U.S. revolving credit facility and a Canadian revolving credit facility, both of which are governed by a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement” or the “$400 million Credit Agreement”). Each revolving credit facility matures on June 29, 2016.

As of December 31, 2015, $140.7 million in borrowings, with a weighted average interest rate of 4.19% (March 31, 2015 - $193.5 million of borrowings had a weighted average interest rate of 3.98%), were outstanding under the credit facilities. Amounts committed in support of letters of credit totaled $19.5 million at December 31, 2015 (March 31, 2015 - $5.8 million). Any borrowings under the $400 million Credit Agreement are classified as current.

The Credit Agreement provides that Niska Partners may borrow only up to the lesser of the level of the then current borrowing base or the committed maximum borrowing capacity, which is currently $400.0 million. As of December 31, 2015, the borrowing base collateral totaled $240.9 million.

The Credit Agreement also includes a covenant that requires the maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio (“FCCR”) of 1.1 to 1.0 at the end of each fiscal quarter when excess availability under both revolving credit facilities is less than 15% of the aggregate amount of availability under both revolving credit facilities. When the Company’s FCCR is below 1.1 to 1.0, the Company will be unable to borrow the last 15% of availability under the revolving credit facilities without triggering an event of default. The Credit Agreement provides that, upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including a covenant default, the Company’s obligations thereunder may be accelerated and the lending commitments terminated.

As of December 31, 2015, Niska Partners was in compliance with all covenant requirements under the indenture governing the 6.50% Senior Notes and the $400 million Credit Agreement. However, Niska Partners’ FCCR was 0.6 to 1.0. Therefore, the Company is subject to the above restriction limiting the last 15% of availability under the revolving credit facilities. Accordingly, the availability under the Credit Agreement has been reduced by 15%, to $204.8 million. As of December 31, 2015, $44.6 million of the Company’s availability remained unutilized.

The $400 million Credit Agreement contains limitations on Niska Partners’ ability to incur additional debt or to pay distributions in respect of, repurchase or pay distributions on its membership interests (or other capital stock) or make other restricted payments.

The Company is presently in the process of negotiating an amendment and extension of its existing Credit Agreement which if completed will, among other things, permit the Merger Agreement to proceed without triggering a change-of-control provision in the Credit Agreement and extend the term of the Credit Agreement beyond June 29, 2016 to September 30, 2016, or to December 31, 2016, if the Transaction closes on or before September 16, 2016. It is likely that any such amendment and extension will result in a reduction in the maximum availability under the Credit Agreement. However, in the event that an extension of the agreement is not consummated, the Company will be required to raise additional funds in order to repay the Credit Agreement at its maturity in June 2016. If the extension of the agreement is consummated as contemplated, the Company will be required to further extend the maturity date or raise additional funds to repay the Credit Agreement at its final maturity date. We can provide no assurance that we will be able to further extend the maturity date or raise additional funds to repay the Credit Agreement upon its revised maturity.

Niska Partners has no independent assets or operations other than its investments in its subsidiaries. Both the 6.50% Senior Notes and the $400 million Credit Agreement have been jointly and severally guaranteed by Niska Partners and substantially all of its subsidiaries. Niska Partners’ subsidiaries have no significant restrictions on their ability to pay distributions or make loans to Niska Partners and have no restricted assets as of December 31, 2015.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

3. Debt (continued)

Short-term Credit Facility

On July 28, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Brookfield for a $50.0 million short term credit facility (the “Short-term Credit Facility”), which may be borrowed subject to certain customary conditions. As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding amount of $20.6 million under the Short-term Credit Facility bears interest at an annual rate of 10%, which is payable in cash on a quarterly basis, unless the Company elects to pay such interest in-kind by capitalizing accrued interest into the principal amount. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, $0.6 million of interest was accrued and paid in-kind.

Amounts borrowed under the Short-term Credit Facility may be prepaid without premium and penalty, and all amounts due and owing under the Short-term Credit Facility will be payable on the earlier of January 28, 2017 or the first to occur of; (a) the acceleration of the loans during the continuance of an event of default under the Short-term Credit Facility; (b) the date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms; (c) the date that is 90 days after the date on which the required lenders have determined that the acquisition of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to the Merger Agreement cannot or will not be consummated for any reason, including without limitation regulatory matters or legal bars; and (d) any uncured breach of any other agreement between the Company and certain affiliates, on the one hand, and any lenders or any affiliate thereof, on the other hand, which results in termination of such agreement.

The Company’s obligations under the Short-term Credit Facility are guaranteed by its parent, Sponsor Holdings, and the Company’s subsidiaries which guarantee the obligations under its $400 million Credit Agreement. Such obligations are also secured by a pledge by Sponsor Holdings over its equity interests in the Company and Niska Gas Storage Management LLC. The guarantee and pledge by Sponsor Holdings will terminate to the extent the Company obtains an amendment to the $400 million Credit Agreement which permits the Company and its subsidiaries to grant a security interest over their assets to the lenders under the Short-term Credit Facility, or such earlier date as the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are consummated.

The Short-term Credit Facility requires the Company to comply with certain affirmative and negative covenants, with the Company permitted to enter into activities to the extent permitted by both the Merger Agreement and the Company’s $400 million Credit Agreement. The Company is also subject to customary events of default, substantially consistent with its $400 million Credit Agreement.

4. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments

Risk Management Overview

Niska Partners has exposure to commodity price, the cost of compliance with environmental regulations, foreign currency, counterparty credit, interest rate and liquidity risks. Risk management activities are tailored to the risks they are designed to mitigate.

Commodity Price Risk

As a result of its natural gas inventory, Niska Partners is exposed to risks associated with changes in price when buying and selling natural gas across future time periods. To manage these risks and reduce variability of cash flows, the Company utilizes a combination of financial and physical derivative contracts, including forwards, futures, swaps and option contracts. The use of these contracts is subject to the Company’s risk management policies. These contracts have not been treated as hedges for financial reporting purposes and therefore changes in fair value are recorded directly in earnings.

Forward contracts and futures contracts are agreements to purchase or sell a specific financial instrument or quantity of natural gas at a specified price and date in the future. Niska Partners enters into forward contracts and futures contracts to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas prices. In addition to cash settlement, exchange traded futures may also be settled by the physical delivery of natural gas.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

4. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments (continued)

Commodity Price Risk (continued)

Swap contracts are agreements between two parties to exchange streams of payments over time according to specified terms. Swap contracts require receipt of payment for the notional quantity of the commodity based on the difference between a fixed price and the market price on the settlement date. Niska Partners enters into commodity swaps to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas prices.

Option contracts are contractual agreements to convey the right, but not the obligation, for the purchaser of the option to buy or sell a specific physical or notional amount of a commodity at a fixed price, either at a fixed date or at any time within a specified period. Niska Partners enters into option agreements to mitigate the impact of changes in natural gas prices.

To limit its exposure to changes in commodity prices, Niska Partners enters into purchases and sales of natural gas inventory and concurrently matches the volumes in these transactions with offsetting derivative contracts. To comply with its internal risk management policies, Niska Partners is required to limit its exposure of unmatched volumes of proprietary current natural gas inventory to an aggregate overall limit of 8.0 billion cubic feet (“Bcf”). At December 31, 2015, 34.3 Bcf of natural gas inventory was offset with financial contracts, representing 98.8% of total inventory. At March 31, 2015, 47.2 Bcf of natural gas inventory was offset with financial contracts, representing 98.6% of total inventory. As of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, the volumes of inventories which were economically hedged using each type of contract were:

Price Risk Associated with Compliance with Environmental Regulations

One of Niska Partners’ operating facilities, the Wild Goose storage facility, is located in California. In 2006, California adopted AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, with a goal of reaching: (i) 1990 greenhouse gases (“GHG”) emissions levels by the year 2020; (ii) 80% of 1990 levels by 2050; and (iii) a mandatory emission reporting program. AB 32 required the California Air Resources Board (“ARB”) to develop a scoping plan describing the approach California will take to reduce GHGs to achieve the goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 (the “2020 Goal”). The scoping plan was first approved by the ARB in 2008 which identifies a cap-and-trade program as one of the strategies California will employ to meet the 2020 Goal. In 2010, ARB approved that cap and trade program and it came into effect on January 1, 2013.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

4. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments (continued)

Price Risk Associated with Compliance with Environmental Regulations (continued)

Entities are subject to compliance obligations if they exceed certain ARB-defined emission thresholds. During each year of the program, the ARB issues emission allowances (i.e., the rights to emit GHGs) equal to the amount of GHG emissions allowed for that year. Emitters can obtain allowances from the ARB at quarterly auctions or from third parties or exchanges. Emitters may also satisfy a portion of their compliance obligation through the purchase of offset credits; e.g., credits for GHG reductions achieved by third parties (such as landowners, livestock owners, and farmers) that occur outside the industry sectors covered under the cap through ARB-qualified offset projects such as reforestation or biomass projects. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company determined that it had exceeded its allowed emissions threshold and became subject to compliance obligations whereby it must purchase allowances or offset credits. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $0.8 million of accrued emission allowances and offset credits and the Company was exposed to risks associated with changes in the price of credits for GHG reductions.

Counterparty Credit Risk

Niska Partners is exposed to counterparty credit risk on its trade and accrued accounts receivable and risk management assets. Counterparty credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer fails to perform its contractual obligations. Niska Partners engages in transactions for the purchase and sale of products and services with major companies in the energy industry and with industrial, commercial, residential and municipal energy consumers. Credit risk associated with trade accounts receivable is mitigated by the high percentage of investment grade customers, collateral support of receivables and Niska Partners’ ability to take ownership of customer owned natural gas stored in its facilities in the event of non-payment. For the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, no expense related to doubtful accounts was recognized as a result of receivables deemed to be uncollectible. It is management’s opinion that no allowance for doubtful accounts was required as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively, on the Company’s accrued and trade accounts receivable.

The Company analyzes the financial condition of counterparties prior to entering into an agreement. Credit limits are established and monitored on an ongoing basis. Management believes, based on its credit policies, that the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows will not be materially affected as a result of non-performance by any single counterparty. Credit risk is assessed prior to transacting with any counterparty and each counterparty is required to maintain an investment grade rating, provide a parental guarantee from an investment grade parent, or provide an alternative method of financial assurance (letter of credit, cash, etc.) to support proposed transactions. In addition, the Company’s tariffs contain provisions that permit it to take title to a customer’s inventory should the customer’s account remain unpaid for an extended period of time. Although the Company relies on a few counterparties for a significant portion of its revenues, one counterparty making up 46.4% and 58.2% of gross revenues for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is a physical natural gas clearing and settlement facility that requires counterparties to post margin deposits equal to 125% of their net position, which reduces the risk of default.

Exchange traded futures and options comprise approximately 76.4% of Niska Partners’ commodity risk management assets at December 31, 2015. These exchange traded contracts have minimal credit exposure as the exchanges guarantee that every contract will be margined on a daily basis. In the event of any default, Niska Partners’ account on the exchange would be absorbed by other clearing members. Because every member posts an initial margin, the exchange can protect the exchange members if or when a clearing member defaults.

Niska Partners further manages credit exposure by entering into master netting agreements for the majority of non-retail contracts. These master netting agreements provide the Company, in the event of default, the right to offset the counterparty’s rights and obligations.

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

4. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments (continued)

Interest Rate Risk

Niska Partners assesses interest rate risk by continually identifying and monitoring changes in interest rate exposures that may adversely impact expected future cash flows. At December 31, 2015, Niska Partners was exposed to interest rate risk resulting from the variable rates associated with its $400 million Credit Agreement of which $140.7 million was drawn.

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they become due. Niska Partners continues to manage its liquidity risk by ensuring sufficient cash and credit facilities are available to meet its operating and capital expenditure obligations when due, under both normal and stressed conditions.

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign currency risk is created by fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. As Niska Partners conducts a portion of its activities in Canadian dollars, earnings and cash flows are subject to currency fluctuations. The performance of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar could positively or negatively affect earnings. Niska Partners is exposed to cash flow risk to the extent that Canadian currency outflows exceed Canadian currency inflows. The Company enters into currency swaps to mitigate the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional value of currency swaps at December 31, 2015 was $22.6 million (March 31, 2015 - $19.6 million). These contracts expire on various dates from February 1, 2016 through December 1, 2016. Niska Partners has not elected hedge accounting treatment, therefore, changes in fair value are recorded directly in earnings.

The following tables show the fair values of Niska Partners’ risk management assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

4. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments (continued)

Information about the Company’s risk management assets and liabilities that had netting or rights of offset arrangements is as follows:

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Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

4. Risk Management Activities and Financial Instruments (continued)

The Company expects to recognize risk management assets and liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2015 into net earnings (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) in the fiscal periods as follows:

Net realized and unrealized optimization gains and losses from the settlement of risk management contracts are summarized as follows:

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Niska Gas Storage Partners LLC

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(Thousands of U.S. dollars, except per Unit amounts and unless otherwise noted)

5. Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, margin deposits, trade receivables, accrued receivables, trade payables and accrued liabilities reported on the unaudited consolidated balance sheet approximate fair value.

Fair values have been determined as follows for Niska Partners’ assets and liabilities that were accounted for or disclosed at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis: